2013 National Heritage Fellowship recipients: Ralph Burns (l) and Pauline Hillaire (r). Photos from National Endowment for the Arts

Two tribal members have are among this year's recipients of the National Heritage Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Ralph Burns, a storyteller from the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe of Nevada, and Pauline Hillaire, a tradition bearer from the Lummi Nation of Washington, are being recognized for their artistic excellence and for their efforts to preserve their cultures. The fellowship comes with an award of $25,000.

"From the Native-American art forms that can be traced to our country's origins to the artistic traditions introduced by our newest immigrants, the National Endowment for the Arts is proud to support and celebrate all of our country's folk and traditional arts and the artists who have dedicated their lives to protecting, celebrating, and sharing them with the next generation." NEA Acting Chairman Joan Shigekawa said in a press release.

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National Endowment for the Arts names 9 new National Heritage Fellows (AP 6/4)